Bob Hartley fired by Flames

The Calgary Flamesfired head coach Bob Hartley on Tuesday, less than a year after he received the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's coach of the year.

Associate coach Jacques Cloutierwasalsoletgo.

General manager BradTreliving said "today starts the process" of finding a replacement for Hartley, whowon the Jack Adams afterguidingCalgary to a surprise playoff appearance in 2015. But the Flames regressed this season and missed the playoffsby a wide margin.

Treliving said Hartley had "taken this team as far as Ifeel he can take it."

The GM said "there's blood on a lot of hands" in the organization, including his own. He identified goaltending as an area of concern after a season in whichKarri Ramo and Joni Ortio both were waived at different times and sent to the minors. Veteran Jonas Hiller, who Treliving has said will not return, posted a.879 save percentage the worst in the NHL in the last decade with a 25-game minimum.

"Our goaltending was not good this year. Ineed to fix that," Treliving said."The way we play in front of the goaltender needs to be fixed as well."

Promise unfulfilled

The goalie issues helped submarinewhat appeared to be a promising team that made somehigh-profile off-season additions. The Flames acquired defenceman Dougie Hamilton from the Boston Bruins at the draft, Michael Frolik signed as a free agent and Sam Bennett had a solidrookie season.Star forward Johnny Gaudreau fashioned a strong sophomore campaign, increasing his goals total from 24 to 30 and his points from 64 to 78.

Hartleyreportedlyhad one year left on his contract after receiving atwo-yearextension in December 2014, in the midst of his coach-of-the-year season.

In four seasons with Calgary, he compiled a regular-season record of 134-135-25. The Flames made it to the second round last year, defeating Vancouver in the opening round before losing to Anaheim in their only playoff appearance under Hartley.

Hartley won the Stanley Cup in 2001 with Colorado, where he coached for three-plus seasons. He also had a stint with Atlanta (now Winnipeg) that lasted parts of five seasons.

Three NHL teams now have head coaching vacancies. Ottawa fired Dave Cameron last month, and BruceBoudreauwas let go last week by Anaheim.